Container



Patented Mar. 2, 1943 CONTAINER Clarence B. Sprague, Grand Rapids, Mich,as-

signor to American Box Board Company. Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporationof Michigan Application May 2, 1940, Serial No. 832,925 2 Claims. (Q'JI.229-52) This invention relates to containers particularly adapted forcarrying fruits and vegetables and which are formed of cardboard and areadapted to be carried in a horizontal position.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a container having aplurality of sides, two of the adjacent sides thereof having openingstherein so that a hand may be inserted for the purpose of carrying thecontainer.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the tabs, which are theresult of cutting the openings, by folding them inwardly to overlap eachother to thereby form not only a reinforcement for the handle but alsocushioning means for the hand.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will appear more fully asthe description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims. The annexed drawing and following descriptionset forth in detail certain means for carrying out my invention, saidmeans constituting, however, but one of various ways in which theprinciple of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the end portions and two of the sides withthe scored lines thereon and before the carton is folded for use toassume its rectangular shape.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container, and

Fig. 3 is a central vertical section therethrough.

The container is formed of a single sheet of cardboard to provide thesides I, 2, 3 and 4. The outer end of the side 4 has an additional tab 5thereon which is bent substantially at right angles and secured to theadjacent end of the side i to thereby form a rectangular container. Ateach end of each of the sides tabs are formed which are adapted to befolded toward each other in pairs and in overlapping relation to formthe ends of the container. The side 2 at each end thereof is providedwith tabs 6 and the side 3 is provided at each end thereof with a tab 1.The sides i and 4 are also provided with similar tabs and since this endconstruction is well-known it need not be described more fully here.

There is a scored portion between the sides 2 and 3 to form the commoncorner 8 between said sides when the box is in position for use,

and in each or the sides 2 and 3 an elongated opening is providedindicated respectively by the numerals I and II. Instead oiremovingcompletely the portion of theside which results in the cutting out ofthese openings, these portions or tabs indicated at l I and I2,are'scored along the edges I3 and II which are substantiallyparallel toand closely adjacent the comer I. It is to be noted that the width ofthe resulting tabs II and I2 are slightly less than the distance betweenthe scored edges i3 and H of the respective openings I and II when thebox is in its position for use as will be clearly seen in Fig. 3, sothat the tabs l I and I! may be folded inwardly toward each other andoverlap.

This overlapping of the tabs provides a cushion for the hand of theperson carrying the container as well as strengthening the handleportion itself which is formed by that portion of the sides I and 3between the openings l and III.

In actual use, the container is filled from one end with eithervegetables or fruit such as shownat ii in Fig. 3, the end is then closedand sealed and the container placed in the position shown in Figs. 2 and3. After the contents have been shaken down to provide a small space atthe top thereof the carrier may insert one hand through the openings 9and i0, having his fingers rest on the tabs II and I2 and the corners IIand it for the purpose of carrying'the container; the handle which hasbeen formed integrally with the container being formed by the two tabsand that portion of the container at each side of the corner 8 andbetween the adjacent edges of the openings 9 and I0.

The invention is veryuseful since the container is enabled to be madefrom a single piece of stock, there being no additional pieces to attachthereto to. form the handle. From an economic standpoint thepracticability of the invention will be readily understood.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be usedinstead of the one here explained, change being made as regards thestructure herein disclosed, provided, however, that the means stated byany of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means beemployed.

I claim:

1. In a container, the combination with an elongated box having squareends thereon and four sides, of an opening ineach of two adjacent sidesnear the common comer thereof, and a tab secured to the edge of eachopening adjacent said corner folded inwardly and overlapping each 2nuance other to iorrn a handle. such a balance being maintained when thebox B being carried that a vertical plane passing centrally o! andlongitudinally through said overlapped tabs will also pass through theopposite corner of the box.

2. In a container, the combination with a box having square ends and(our sides, 0! a tab struck irom adjacent sides or the box near a commoncorner thereof tonning an opening in each or the sides, each struck outtab being integrally secured to the edge of each opening adjacent saidcorner, and folding inwardly toward the other, and cooperating to form.when bent inwardly, a smooth reinforcing hand hold. whereby thecontainer may be carried by inserting the fingers oi the hand throughsaid openings.

cnmncn B. BPRAGUI.

